Then Domitia stood forward.
“You have a prisoner here—Lucius Ælius Lamia?”
“Yes.”
“You must lead me to him.”
The jailer appeared disconcerted, he held his lamp aloft and eyed the woman who spake. He did not know her, his light was feeble, and as it happened, he had seen little of the Empress.
“You do not know me,” said Domitia. “Know you this ring?”
The prison-keeper held the flame of his lamp to the signet, and made the usual sign of respect and recognition.
“You are required to lead me within,” said Domitia.
The jailer at once stood aside, and suffered the Empress and her attendants to enter. Then he barred and bolted the door again.
“And now,” said Domitia, impatient at the leisurely proceeding of the man, “lead me to him.”